Exploring Existential Therapy: Finding Meaning in Life

26 September 2025

Let’s be honest—life can get really confusing sometimes. One day you're chasing your dreams, and the next, you're questioning everything. “Why am I here?” “What’s the point of all this?” If you've ever caught yourself lost in those deep, philosophical spirals, you're not alone. And that’s exactly where existential therapy comes into play.

Existential therapy isn't just another type of talk therapy. It digs deep—you’re not just venting about your week or working through a breakup (although that’s important too). This kind of therapy gets to the root of human existence. It helps you grapple with the big stuff: freedom, death, isolation, and meaning. Sound heavy? It is. But it can also be incredibly liberating.

In this article, we'll break down what existential therapy is, how it works, its core principles, and how it might help you live a more meaningful life. Ready to dive in?

What is Existential Therapy, Anyway?

Existential therapy is a philosophical approach to psychotherapy. Instead of focusing only on mental illness, it looks at the human condition as a whole. What does that mean? Well, it means dealing with stuff we all go through: fear of dying, feeling lonely even in a crowd, making choices that shape our lives. Existential therapists believe that a lot of our emotional struggles come from ignoring or running from these realities.

This form of therapy draws from existential philosophy—think of names like Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Viktor Frankl. Yeah, it’s got some academic roots, but at its core, it’s about real life. Messy, unpredictable life.

A Quick History Lesson (Don’t Worry, We’ll Keep It Fun)

Existential therapy began taking shape in the mid-20th century, though its philosophical roots go back much further.

- Søren Kierkegaard emphasized the importance of personal choice and responsibility.
- Friedrich Nietzsche talked about embracing the chaos of life and creating your own values.
- Jean-Paul Sartre believed existence comes before essence—we define who we are through our actions.
- Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, introduced the powerful concept of “logotherapy,” a type of existential therapy grounded in the search for meaning.

Frankl’s famous book, Man’s Search for Meaning, highlights how even in the worst conditions, finding purpose can help people survive and thrive. That’s the beating heart of existential therapy.

Key Concepts in Existential Therapy

Let’s unpack the main ideas that drive existential therapy. These aren’t just fancy terms—they’re real-life challenges we all face.

1. Freedom and Responsibility

Here’s the deal: we’re free to make our own choices, but with that freedom comes the burden of responsibility. You can choose your career, leave a bad relationship, or move to a different country. But those choices have consequences.

In existential therapy, the goal is to help you face that freedom without fear. Scary? Maybe. Empowering? Definitely.

2. The Search for Meaning

This is the big question—what gives your life meaning? Is it family? Love? Work? Art? Existential therapy doesn't give you a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, it guides you to figure it out for yourself.

And remember: meaning isn’t something you find lying around like a penny on the sidewalk. You create it. Every single day.

3. Isolation

Yep, we’re all ultimately alone. Even in the closest relationships, there’s a part of us that no one else will fully understand. That can feel incredibly isolating. But acknowledging this truth can also be freeing. Instead of fearing being alone, existential therapy encourages embracing solitude and authenticity.

4. Death and Mortality

No sugarcoating here—existential therapy doesn’t shy away from the reality of death. In fact, it puts it front and center. Why? Because the awareness of our mortality can motivate us to live more fully. It's like knowing your time is limited makes every moment count a little more.

So, How Does Existential Therapy Actually Work?

Great question. It's not about lying on a couch while a therapist nods silently. Existential therapy is more like a deep conversation about the stuff that really matters.

The Role of the Therapist

Think of the therapist as a fellow traveler, not an all-knowing expert. They won’t give you answers, but they’ll ask powerful questions. Questions that make you stop and think—really think.

Like:

- “What does success mean to you?”
- “Are you living according to your values?”
- “Who are you when no one’s watching?”

These questions aren’t meant to overwhelm you. They’re designed to shake you awake.

Techniques Used

Existential therapy isn’t rigid. It often blends techniques from other types of therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), humanistic therapy, and psychodynamic approaches. The focus, however, remains on you as a person—not just your symptoms.

Sessions might include:

- Reflective dialogue
- Journaling exercises
- Role-playing
- Mindfulness practices

It's less about diagnosing and more about understanding. You’re not a disorder—you’re a complex, evolving human being.

Who Can Benefit from Existential Therapy?

Short answer? Pretty much anyone. But let’s get specific.

It’s especially helpful if you’re dealing with:

- Major life transitions (divorce, retirement, career change)
- Loss and grief
- Depression or anxiety rooted in a sense of meaninglessness
- Loneliness or disconnection
- Midlife crises or existential dread (yep, that’s a thing)

Even if you're not in crisis, existential therapy can deepen your self-awareness and bring more purpose into your life.

Existential Therapy vs. Other Therapies

You might be wondering, how is this different from, say, CBT or traditional talk therapy?

Here’s a little breakdown:

| Type of Therapy | Focus | Approach |
|----------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| CBT | Thoughts and behaviors | Problem-solving, structured |
| Psychodynamic | Unconscious conflicts, past experiences | Analyzing past to understand present |
| Existential | Meaning, freedom, isolation, death | Dialogue, self-exploration, personal growth |

Existential therapy doesn’t aim to “fix” you in the traditional sense. It’s more interested in who you are and how you live. It's about transformation, not just treatment.

What Does an Existential Therapy Session Look Like?

It’s unique to each person, but here’s a snapshot:

You walk in, sit down, and maybe you say, “Lately I’ve been questioning everything. My job, my relationship, even what I want out of life.”

Your therapist doesn’t jump in with a quick fix. Instead, they’d probably say something like, “That sounds really intense. What do those questions feel like for you?” And from there, you dig deeper—into your fears, your values, your longings.

Some sessions might be emotionally heavy. Others might feel like a philosophical discussion over coffee. Either way, the goal is clarity and connection—to yourself and to life.

The Pros and (Honest) Cons

Pros

- Encourages deep self-awareness
- Focuses on growth, not just problem-solving
- Helps you create meaning in your own terms
- Works well with other therapeutic approaches
- Great for long-term personal development

Cons

- Might feel abstract or “deep” for those wanting direct solutions
- Less structured than other therapies
- Requires a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths

If you’re someone who avoids thinking about death or big life questions, it might feel like too much at first. But remember, growth often starts with discomfort.

Existential Therapy in Today’s World

In our hyper-connected, fast-paced society, it’s easy to feel lost. We’re constantly comparing ourselves, drowning in content, and chasing goals that sometimes feel… empty. Existential therapy encourages us to pause. To ask: What am I doing all this for?

It’s not about quitting your job and moving to the mountains (though hey, if that’s your thing, go for it). It’s about doing the inner work—figuring out what matters most and shaping a life that reflects that.

Final Thoughts

Existential therapy isn’t about finding the meaning of life. It’s about finding your meaning. And let’s face it—no one else can do that for you.

This approach doesn’t offer quick fixes or pat answers. But what it does offer is something far more powerful: a roadmap to living a life that feels true, intentional, and deeply human.

So, if you’ve been wrestling with big questions, feeling stuck in a rut, or just longing for something more… existential therapy might just be the mirror that helps you see yourself more clearly.

After all, life’s too short to live on autopilot.